Ossoff retains U.S. Senate seat

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(The Center Square) – Georgia Democrat Jon Ossoff won another term in the U.S. Senate, defeating Republican Rep. Mike Collins. 

When the race was called by The Associated Press shortly before 8 p.m., Ossoff led 63%-37%, according to the secretary of state's office. 

Ossoff's win was not surprising. Collins never held a lead in the polls, trailing by as much as 8 points in some. Collins defended questions about a report from the Office of Congressional Conduct released in January that said, "...there is substantial reason to believe that Rep. Collins used congressional resources for unofficial or otherwise unauthorized purposes."

Collins called the report a "nothing burger" and a "hit job." In an October debate with Ossoff, Collins encouraged the committee to release the files.

"As a matter of fact, I encourage them," he said. "Go ahead and release the files."

Ossoff also questioned Collins about his son-in-law’s reported connections to the group Patriot Front and antisemitic comments.

"Will you commit tonight that, for the remainder of this campaign, it's just three weeks, Mike, that you won't allow any more neo-Nazi propaganda to be produced from your house?" Ossoff asked Collins.

"You know what? I'm a little tired of this, John," Collins said. "This crazy person in jail right now, because of your rhetoric, threatened my son-in-law and threatened to kill me. That's because of you and your rhetoric that you're out there spewing."

Ossoff campaigned often with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms, appearing with her at a rally alongside former President Barack Obama.

Collins was backed by President Donald Trump, who made two trips to Georgia.